As a child, I loved to write. The pencil was an extension of my hand and mind. I found that all the stories in my head could be released onto beautiful blank white paper. This revelation was exciting to me. I couldn’t wait to jot down my stories. It took me some time to realize that not everyone in the world finds writing fun and adventurous. It wasn’t until I became a teacher that I learned that there are children who have trouble getting their stories down on paper.
Category: Kindness
The Serene Art of Forest Bathing
The muted, burnished colors reflected in the mountain pools were so incredibly soothing. They blended together in wavy lines. The trees, the leaves, the water became one, and I wanted to plunge in and cover myself in autumnal splendor. It is in these moments that the real and the imagined join forces and cast a magical energy.
Daily Dose of Joy
 I put down my briefcase, sat carefully down on a small chair, and introduced myself to a table of three-year-old girls. I started my teaching career working with three-year-olds. I remember days of play, imagination, and song so fondly.
Art as Gratitude
I hadn’t thought of art as a vehicle for gratitude, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized that it was exactly that – art is a prayer sent out to all calling for peace, beauty, love, all the colors of the rainbow, the rain coming softly down washing everything clean. This weekend, I looked back at some of the photos I’ve taken and suddenly saw prayers of gratitude embedded in their images.
Embracing Hope: My Cousin’s Miracle Recovery Story
In mid-June my dear cousin, Sylvia, had both neck and brain surgery and was in critical condition. Our family prepared for the worst. Some of us kept on praying and leaning of God for support.
Summer Song
Now, this summer, when there is so much to grieve, so much to be anxious about, I have been reminded to keep singing, keep that summer song in my heart and share it with others. We only have a precious short time on this little spinning planet, I know I must keep searching for small joys and sing them out loudly.
Poetry & Pasta: Kindergarten Wordplay
My love of poetry extended into May this year as I read aloud to our Kindergarten classes. I had read my poetry and facilitated poetry writing with students in 1st through 5th grades in the month of April. Finally, I had a little more time to bring the joy of verse into Kindergarten. I found the perfect picture book to share, Pasta, Pasta Lotsa Pasta by Aimee Lucido. Since I am of Italian heritage, I found this book to be particularly fun and engaging. Ms. Lucido’s wordplay is exquisite and invites young children to join into the rhythm of the story.
Handmade Mother’s Day
Sometimes, I think - "No one cares, this is a lot of work, maybe I should stop doing this." But then there are days, when I see fifteen eager faces at the front door clamoring to get in and start their work - their work of mess and industry and love.
Stormy Weather: Celebrating Poetry Month
I loved stringing words together. I loved the way they formed in my mouth and rushed out into the air. Poetry was magical, and I felt I had some of that magic in me. Now, as a poet and teacher, I enjoy bringing that love of the spoken word to children. This month, Deborah, my friend and dear librarian at the school where I teach, invited me to be the guest poet during her library times with 1st through 4th graders.
Support Stuffies: Managing Test Anxiety
There was a lot of anxiety in the room even though we had tried to make the students as familiar with the test as we could possibly do. We also did not place a lot of importance on the test, but the children sense it is important, it does reflect on how smart they are, and it does matter.
Word Dancer: Literature, the Arts, & Education 